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New Series Of Regional
Training Programs
New CLIA Agent Training
Program
New Program For Travel
Partners
New Study Finds Cruising Attracting
More Affluent And Younger Guests
Leisure cruise vacations are reaching
new levels of popularity among American consumers while
also attracting younger and more affluent guests, according
to results from the Cruise Lines International Association
(CLIA) 2006 Market Profile Study,
conducted by TNS Travel & Transport
Group and released on April 10. Cruising continues to
represent a fast-growing travel segment with significant
growth potential.
Over 51 million current vacationers
have ever taken a cruise, representing 17 percent of the
total US population, according to the CLIA study. The
study identifies the "core"
U.S. cruise market as adults 25 or
older with minimum household incomes
of $40,000. This core market consists
of 127 million future cruise prospects. Thirty-nine percent
of core market consumers - more than 49 million vacationers
have previously cruised; 50 percent of core consumers
sailed within the past three years. More than 31 million
US vacationers have expressed their strong intent to cruise
within the next
three years, according to the study.
"Leisure cruising's continuing growth and surging
popularity reflect the fundamental value, outstanding
guest satisfaction and broad appeal of today's cruise
vacations," said Terry L. Dale, CLIA's president
and CEO. "The meteoric growth of cruising from a
boutique vacation to a mainstream travel option is a testament
to the dedicated efforts of CLIA's 16,700 member travel
agencies, and the innovative, passenger-pleasing ships
launched year after year by CLIA's member
cruise lines."
Today's cruisers are younger and more
affluent than ever. The 2006 study found that the average
age of all cruise vacationers fell to 49, the lowest figure
recorded in a CLIA tracking study report since 2002, the
first year CLIA conducted the study. Average income for
the first time exceeded $100,000 at $104,000.
As they attract younger and more affluent
guests, cruise lines also continue to meet their passengers'
vacation needs. Compared with other types of vacations,
cruising has the highest percentage of extremely satisfied
customers (45%), outpacing all-inclusive resorts (42%)
and visiting friends and relatives (40%). Eighty-two percent
of cruisers gave the industry high marks when considering
ratings of "very" satisfied and "extremely"
satisfied. Seventy-one percent of past cruisers said they
will "definitely or probably" cruise again in
the next three years.
Moreover, most people believe cruises
offer superior value versus other forms of vacations.
The study uncovered that 65 percent of respondents found
cruises offer a
high value for money, versus 58 percent
for all other types of vacations, and a majority of respondents
said cruises are superior to other types of vacations
in terms of being pampered (57%), the chance to visit
several locations (63%), fine dining (54%) and in being
luxurious (52%).
The CLIA study was based on 2,482 national
online interviews conducted among adults 25 and older
with minimum household income of $40,000. The interviews
represent a balanced national sample derived from TNS'
panel of more than 1 million U.S. households. The respondents'
median age was 43, with household incomes averaging
$94,000. One in eight is retired (13%),
half (52%) are college graduates, and 54 percent of respondents
are female, with 46 percent male.
The study also found:
* On average, cruise vacationers spent
considerably more—by about 40
Percent—on their last vacation, regardless
of type ($1,690 to $1,180).
* Cruise vacationers are frequent vacationers,
taking nearly three vacations of more than three days
per year, with cruises representing 25 percent of vacations
taken.
* The most important factors contributing
to the vacation/cruise decision are the actual destination
(8.2 out of 10) and price (6.7 out of 10).
* More than 90 percent of respondents
said that having a greater number of embarkation ports
provides a benefit, with 74 percent saying the primary
benefit is the convenience of not having to fly to the
embarkation city, and 72 percent identifying the savings
involved in avoiding air travel as the primary benefit.
Seventy percent of respondents said having more embarkation
ports will increase their likelihood of cruising in the
next three years.
The study also outlines several positive
trends for the travel agent distribution system. For example,
cruise vacationers use travel agents more frequently than
land-based vacationers (83% to 51%) with 79 percent of
cruisers using an agent specifically to book a cruise.
(Due to the proliferation of travel agency Web sites,
the reported incidence of
travel agent cruise booking activity
may be suppressed because consumers are often unaware
of the travel agent behind the transaction.) Cruise vacationers
are also far more likely than non-cruisers to use agents
for non-cruise travel services.
Additionally, the study found that
consumers retain a positive opinion
of travel agents in several key areas.
For example:
* Three out of five respondents believe
agents are knowledgeable about different cruise lines
and their unique experiences.
* Three out of five respondents believe
agents are usually more knowledgeable about hotels, resorts
and destinations than they are.
Nevertheless, the study results indicate
that travel agents are facing growing challenges regarding
consumer expectations. Although most respondents said
agents offer the best service of any distribution channel
(40% versus 35% who cited direct booking with the cruise
line), consumers purchasing travel demonstrate increased
demands and some
degree of cynicism.
The study also found:
* Two in five respondents believe they
get better information on the Internet than through a
travel agent (40%).
* Nearly as many respondents consider
travel agents to be more interested in the sale than in
meeting their vacation needs.
* Just over one-half (56%) of respondents
who used travel agencies were "extremely" or
"very" satisfied with their services.
Finally, the study also revealed that
overall leisure travel intent within the broader vacation
market, remains strong. According to the study:
* 19 percent of respondents plan to
travel more
* 71 percent said their travel frequency
will remain unchanged
* Only 10 percent said they plan to
travel less frequently
TNS, a market information group,
is the world's largest provider of custom research and
analysis, operating across a global network in over 70
countries. Website: www.tns-global.com
CLIA's
Second-Annual Cruise3sixty Sets New Standards
The second annual Cruise Lines International
Association (CLIA) cruise3sixty travel agent conference
was a resounding triumph, exceeding the expectations of
agents, cruise line executives and exhibitors alike. cruise3sixty
drew a total of 1,600 attendees,
including 1,150 travel agents, with
a compelling combination of incisive commentary from the
industry's highest-level executives, the most gold standard
CLIA training programs ever offered at one event, cruise
line product demonstrations, a dynamic trade show and
timely press conferences hosted by several CLIA-member
cruise lines. "CLIA couldn't be more pleased by the
overwhelming response to the second cruise3sixty,"
said Terry L. Dale, president and CEO of CLIA, the chief
marketing organization for 20 premier cruise lines and
nearly 17,000 North American travel agencies. "The
event attracted agents from across North America and beyond.
We are extremely pleased that hundreds upon hundreds of
cruise retailers were energized by cruise3sixty's combination
of cutting-edge education, timely industry information
and crucial marketing support."
The final cruise3sixty figures also
reveal the broad interest in cruise retailing. Agent attendees
hailed from 44 U.S. states, seven Canadian provinces,
seven European countries and one Caribbean nation, and
took advantage of unprecedented educational opportunities,
as CLIA's Training Department delivered 2,722 individual
events - the most the association has ever conducted in
a single event.
cruise3sixty general sessions featured
high-level cruise executives discussing critical industry
issues. Panelists at Saturday's Cruise Market Forecast
Forum panel examined nuances that delineate today's contemporary,
premium and luxury cruise brands. Participants in Sunday's
Luxury Cruise Exchange panel covered effective strategies
agents can use to identify deluxe-market
consumers and provide the desired service levels to retain
these luxury clients. Finally, Dale and Dr. Marc Mancini
conducted a first-of-its-kind Consumer Town Hall panel
featuring eight non-cruise vacationers who were queried
on their perceptions of cruise vacationing and prompted
to discuss why they have
not yet opted for a seagoing vacation.
Entertainment for the gala featured
performances by the world-famous Cirque du Soleil theater
troupe from Celebrity Cruises; the landmark sketch and
improvisation team The Second City from Norwegian Cruise
Line; Marcus Anthony, a top-shelf vocalist from Carnival
Cruise Lines; and a grand finale featuring a medley of
Disney Cruise Line feature productions.
The overwhelming sentiment among agents
was that the CLIA's cruise3sixty was indeed the "must-attend"
event of the year. "It was so beneficial," said
Hattie Jones, owner of Vacations Plus, LLC, of Yorktown,
Va. "The whole show has helped me learn how to kick
my business up a notch."
Stay tuned for details on cruise3sixty
2007, the venue of which will be announced soon. For
more information go to www.cruising.org.
CLIA Launches
New 'Allied Membership' Program For Travel Partners
The Cruise Lines International Association
(CLIA) is launching a new membership category for valued
colleagues who have long supported the cruise industry
and the travel agent distribution system. CLIA's new Allied
Membership Program provides allied member organizations
with a dynamic link to CLIA's nearly 17,000 North American
member travel agencies and 20 member cruise lines, creating
an effective partnership based on mutual communication
and support. CLIA President and CEO Terry L. Dale made
the announcement during his President's Report presentation
at the association's second annual cruise3sixty, held
from April 8 to 11 at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward
County Convention Center.
Companies eligible for Allied Membership
should be engaged in providing information, products or
services of interest to travel agents and must be supportive
of the cruise industry, including port authorities, tourism
boards, convention and visitors bureaus, technology and
GDS companies; and other travel agency service providers.
"CLIA is opening its doors to allied travel organizations
who have long requested their own membership category
to demonstrate their support of the travel agency distribution
system," said Terry L. Dale, CLIA's president and
CEO. "Allied Membership provides a direct connection
to CLIA's travel agency community and its 20 diverse cruise
lines, with an array of positive benefits for all involved."
A sample of CLIA's Allied Membership
benefits include:
* Promotion of news, sales and opportunities
and more via a new Allied
News Center on CLIA's Web site at www.cruising.org
* Access to CLIA's member travel agencies
through e-newsletters and
advisory communications
* Registration at CLIA's cruise3sixty
conference with a variety of
allied member rates
Allied members also receive CLIA publications,
market research, and statistics and reference materials,
and are authorized to display the CLIA logo on their Web
sites, business cards and promotional materials, demonstrating
their support of the cruise industry.
Allied-member companies and organizations
will also receive member-only pricing on exhibition space
and workshops at cruise3sixty. cruise3sixty combines the
best elements of a travel show with premier educational
and professional development programming, plus hands-on
business and technology training opportunities for agents.
For more information and Allied Membership
applications, contact Robert Sharak at (212) 921-4711,
ext. 718, bsharak@cruiseassoc.com; or Sandrah Gurash at
(212) 921-4711, ext. 721, sgurash@cruiseassoc.com.
New CLIA Agent Training Program
Focuses On Luxury Market
The Cruise Lines International Association
(CLIA) has created a new agent training program focusing
specifically on leisure cruising's luxury category. The
new course,
scheduled to launch in the first quarter
of 2007, provides agents who complete the training with
a new designation: Luxury Cruise Specialist.
CLIA's new Luxury Cruise Specialist
program will define and clarify the luxury cruise experience
for travel agents who are new to selling deluxe seagoing
vacations. Additionally, CLIA instructors will provide
agents with a base of knowledge on two types of upscale
cruise experiences available aboard CLIA-member line ships:
accommodations aboard all-upscale vessels and the highest-category
staterooms aboard
contemporary and premium ships. Finally,
the Luxury Cruise Specialist program will help travel
professionals increase their agency's sales and profitability.
To achieve the Luxury Cruise Specialist
designation, agents will be required to:
* Hold affiliation with a CLIA-member
agency and achieve CLIA Accredited
Cruise Counsellor Certification
* Successfully complete the Luxury
Cruise Specialist course
* Complete CLIA's "Selling to
Special Interest/Niche Markets" and
"Cruising - The Ultimate Incentive"
training courses.
* Complete a luxury voyage on a pre-designated
CLIA member line ship
CLIA will release more details about
the new Luxury Cruise Specialist program in the coming
weeks. For more information about CLIA's agent training
curriculum, log onto the Travel Agent Center on CLIA's
website at www.cruising.org.
CLIA Introduces
A New Series Of Regional Training Programs
Beginning this summer, the Cruise Lines
International Association (CLIA) will launch a program
of two-day regional TrainingFests that combine two days
of CLIA classroom
instruction with CLIA-member cruise
line trade shows held on the first evening of industry
events. CLIA's new TrainingFest series will provide agents
with the chance to
earn up to 70 credits toward CLIA Cruise
Counsellor certification.
Retailers will have the opportunity
to choose from a variety of Level 1
(introductory) and Level 2 (advanced)
courses, as well as the chance to
meet with cruise line representatives
during the trade show portions of
the TrainingFest event. "CLIA's
TrainingFest will offer agency professionals an innovative
new venue for learning, plus the chance to earn up to
70 credits toward
certification—15 for each class and
an additional 10 for attending the trade show," said
Tom Cogan, CLIA's director of training. "Also, agents
can choose from a variety of subject matter not normally
available in Level 1 and Level 2 training programs."
Level 1 classes will include:
* "Cruise Vacations: An Introduction"
* "Principles of Professional
Selling"
* "Managing Your Time Effectively"
* "Psychology of Selling"
Level 2 classes will include:
* "Group Sales Made Easy"
* "Direct Mail That Sells"
* "Effective Presentation Skills"
* "Creating a Cruise Marketing
Plan"
CLIA will announce the TrainingFest
launch date in the coming weeks, along with registration
information and additional details. For more information
on CLIA's Cruise Counsellor certification program and
other training modules, log on to CLIA's Web site at www.cruising.org and click on the Travel
Agent Center tab at the top of the homepage.
In reaction to the recent media hype
about crime incidents on board cruise ships and a Congressional
panel investigating allegations of crime onboard these
ships, the Cruise Lines International Association sent
out this month an Onboard Security Statement to travel
agents about the facts pertaining to cruise ship safety
and security.
The Onboard Security Statement:
The highest priority of the cruise
industry is the safety and security of its passengers
and crew. With more than 11 million vacationers cruising
each year, the cruise lines take every appropriate measure
to ensure that their guests are safe and experience enjoyable
vacations. While people are far safer on board a cruise
ship than in virtually any community in the United States,
on rare occasions, incidents may happen. You and your
clients have most likely heard media reports of people
who have gone missing from cruise ships. These tragedies
have spurred further media reports and speculation, and
even congressional hearings. In light of recent heightened
media coverage on cruise ship safety and security, we
wanted to provide you with information so that if you
do hear concerns regarding safety and security from your
customers, you can answer them confidently.
Cruising remains one of the safest
vacations available, with an outstanding record of safety
and security. In fact, when compared with the FBI’s land-based
crime statistics in the United States, cruise passengers
are much safer on board a cruise ship than ashore.
while instances of crime on board cruise
ships are rare, it is important that whenever traveling
to be observant of one’s possessions and surroundings
at all times. Cruise passengers are reminded of this,
as they are in any hotel, by safety information, daily
bulletins, port visit briefings and the provision of a
room safe or safety deposit box. In the event of an incident,
the cruise industry takes all allegations and incidents
very seriously, reports them to the proper authorities
and fully cooperates in any investigation. In many instances,
cruise lines do not publicly disclose detailed information
to comply with directions from law enforcement and out
of respect for grieving families.
Additionally, professionals at CLIA-member
travel agencies can reassure clients by sharing the following
information:
• Cruise ships are comparable
to secure buildings with 24-hour security. Every person
on board a cruise ship, from the captain to the cleaning
staff and all guests, are placed on official manifests.
When sailing to or from U.S. ports, these manifests are
provided to U.S. federal law enforcement officials—prior
to the ship’s departure—to compare to U.S. databases.
• Guests should be very comfortable
with the security measures they see during their cruise
vacation. These include the screening of 100 percent of
all luggage, carry-ons and provisions coming onto our
ships. Screening is done with X-ray machines, metal detectors
and human and detector dog searches.
• Passengers and crew may
embark or disembark only after passing through security.
Once a ship is underway, access is strictly limited to
documented employees and fare-paying passengers.
• Each passenger is issued
an identification card which contains their digital photo
and personal identification information on a magnetic
strip that he or she must present when entering or leaving
the ship. This technology allows the ship to know which
guests and crew members are on board and which are not.
• Each cruise ship has a
dedicated security officer and staff whose sole function
is the security of its passenger and crew. Typically,
security staff personnel have former law enforcement or
military background and are trained according to international
security regulations.
• Foreign crewmembers on
ICCL ships are required to obtain a visa issued by the
U.S. State Department for entry into the United States.
This visa requires the completion of a background check.
In addition, cruise ship employees are pre-screened by
recruiting agencies.
• Cruise lines operate within
a legal framework under which international, federal and
state authorities investigate crimes on board cruise ships.
Unlike most instances of shore side crime, the FBI has
the authority to investigate and prosecute alleged crimes
in international waters involving Americans.
• The U.S. Coast Guard has
jurisdiction for inspection and enforcement of international
safety and security standards for all ships calling at
U.S. ports. In a 1995 study, the U.S. Coast Guard determined
that cruising was one of the safest modes of transportation
available.
Cruising is among the most popular
vacation options in large part because of its excellent
safety record and the high level of quality service cruise
ships provide. The industry will continue to do its part
to maintain a safe, secure and healthy shipboard environment.
*********************
Cruise Lines International Association
is a marketing and training organization composed of 19
of the major cruise lines serving North America. CLIA
was formed in 1975 in response to a need for an association
to promote the special benefits of cruising. CLIA exists
to educate, train, promote and explain the value, desirability
and affordability of the cruise vacation experience. CLIA
became the principal external marketing organization for
its member lines in 1984 following the consolidation of
several other industry organizations into CLIA. Currently,
nearly 17,000 travel agencies are affiliated with CLIA
and display the CLIA seal, which identifies them as authorities
on selling cruise vacations. Website: www.cruising.org
Bumper
Year Predicted For UK Cruise Industry In 2006
The Passenger Shipping Association
(PSA) predicts booming growth in the number of UK cruise
passengers taking an ocean cruise. A whopping increase
of 21.5 percent over just two years from 2004 to 2006
will see the number of British travelers taking an ocean
cruise holiday shoot to one and a quarter million passengers.
With an additional 210,000 passengers expected in 2006
the industry continues to be the fastest growing sector
in the travel industry.
In 2006, eight new cruise ships will
be launched and additional capacity from cruise lines
such as Travelscope, Fred. Olsen Cruise Line, Saga, Norwegian
Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean International, Island Cruises
and Thomson Cruises will play a significant part in this
phenomenal growth. Year-on-year growth between 2005 and
2006 is expected to be nearly 16 per cent. The market
remains strong with no major withdrawals planned and investment
into the industry in terms of new ship builds and additions
will continue with a further nine ships due to be launched
in 2007.
2005 saw a re-arrangement of the cruise
industry following the withdrawal of Airtours/Sun Cruises
from the market in late 2004/early 2005. The industry
response with ten new ship launches in 2005 has more than
compensated for this loss, injecting additional capacity
to the UK market. Substantial additional capacity from
cruise lines in 2005 included P&O Cruises, Princess
Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International,
Saga and Thomson Cruises. The PSA estimates that these
changes resulted in a modest 4.9 per cent increase in
passengers between 2004 and 2005 - increasing ocean cruise
holidaymakers from 1.03 million to 1.08 million year-on-year.
2005 saw the emergence of a strong
trend towards ex-UK port cruising - with numbers up by
nearly 100,000 (from 306,000 to 400,000). Indeed ex-UK
cruises now account for 37 percent of all cruises taken.
With more companies following suit and regional ports
also expanding to enable them to accommodate the larger
cruise ships of the future, the PSA reports that this
upward trend will continue in 2006.
In 2005 the industry also witnessed
a demand from UK holidaymakers for differentiation within
the wide range of cruise experiences on offer. As a result
the PSA launched the Specialist Collection (www.discover-cruises.c
o.uk/specialist.aspx ) a group of six small specialist
ships offering passengers the opportunity to become immersed
in the destination and to enjoy the authentic travel experiences
by visiting off the beaten track destinations. Furthermore
the Exclusive Collection (www.exclusive-collection.co.uk
), a group of eight ultra luxury cruise lines, went from
strength to strength and launched its first ever consumer
booklet.
Bill Gibbons, director of the Passenger
Shipping Association said: “The future’s dazzling as the
cruise industry goes from strength-to-strength. Predictions
for 2006 paint an excellent picture for the industry.
And it doesn’t stop there as our bullish predictions show
that a 1.5 million of us could be cruising by 2008—that’s
a surge of nearly 50 percent on 2004 figures. In terms
of market penetration of the holiday industry we are still
small and have a long way to grow.”
Cruise Lines Launch Innovative Itineraries
For 2006
As seagoing vacations continue to grow
in popularity, cruise lines have introduced new ports
of call around the world and next year will be no different.
In 2006, travelers will find a portfolio of new cruises
to the far reaches of the globe. The 19 cruise line members
of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) take
travelers to 1,800 ports of call on more than 150 ships
of varying styles, from yacht-like luxury ships carrying
150 passengers to mega vessels carrying more than 3,000
guests.
In 2006, travelers will find new and
enhanced Caribbean itineraries—including more sailings
to the deep Caribbean from New York City. CLIA-member
lines are also positioning more ships then ever before
on the other side of the pond in anticipation of a sizzling
hot season in Europe. Some of the industry’s largest ships
will cruise the Continent, and itineraries will be available
in all shapes and sizes, from seven days to 28 days and
longer. Other cruise lines will take guests to remote,
lesser-known ports as far north as the Arctic Circle and
exclusive, intimate resorts in the Eastern and Western
Mediterranean.
New sailings will also include voyages
to the world’s southernmost destination, Antarctica. Cruising
around Cape Horn via the Drake Passage, the Beagle Channel
and the Straits of Magellan, vacationers experience South
America’s vibrant ports, from the cosmopolitan flair of
Buenos Aires to the trendy beaches and sizzling nightspots
and Carnaval flavor of Rio de Janeiro. “Today’s cruise
destinations appeal to first-time travelers in search
of new experiences and veteran cruisers pursuing a true
wanderlust,” said Terry L. Dale, president and CEO of
CLIA, the leading marketing organization for the cruise
industry. “In 2006, travelers are bound to find something
that perfectly fits the bill – from shorter Caribbean
voyages to extended sailings from Asia to Alaska.”
Following is a sampling of itinerary
highlights available on CLIA-member cruise lines in 2006.
-- Carnival Cruise Lines
is debuting three six- and eight-day exotic Caribbean
itineraries from Fort Lauderdale aboard Carnival Liberty–
he only program of its kind from that port. Six-day cruises
will sail on a western route while eight-day voyages alternate
between the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
-- Celebrity Cruises’
Millennium will embark on a 14-night South America
itinerary February 19, which is timed for Carnaval in
Rio de Janeiro. The roundtrip Buenos Aires itinerary includes
an overnight onboard ship in Rio and will call at Brazil’s
Porto Belo and Buzios; and Montevideo, Uruguay.
-- In 2006, Costa Cruises
will be the only CLIA-member cruise line sailing to Bermuda
from Fort Lauderdale. The voyages, which are available
at the end of Costa Magica’s inaugural Caribbean
season, depart April 21 and 28 and include overnight calls
in Hamilton, Bermuda and Nassau.
-- A highlight of a 14-day Arctic Circle
voyage aboard Crystal Cruises’ Crystal
Serenity, departing Copenhagen on June 26, is a maiden
call at Norway’s Spitsbergen, the northernmost port the
line has visited and the best port for viewing the Midnight
Sun.
-- Cunard Line is featuring
the Path of Magellan South America voyages aboard the
world famous Queen Mary 2. Guests can now embark
in Fort Lauderdale on January 17 on the westbound itinerary
and disembark in Fort Lauderdale on April 13 for the eastbound
voyage.
-- Disney Cruise Line’s
Disney Wonder will embark on two special ten- and
11-night cruises from Port Canaveral to the Southern Caribbean
on September 7 and 17, marking the first time the line
has offered cruises longer than three or four nights aboard
the ship.
-- Bookings are picking up steam for
Holland America Line’s ten- and 11-day Caribbean
cruises out of New York aboard Noordam, which enters
service in February. Thirteen sailings will visit the
Southern and Eastern Caribbean, beginning with the ship’s
maiden voyage in February.
-- MSC Cruises has added
a new dimension to its Panama Canal itineraries by adding
Roatan Island, Honduras with its diverse landscape and
extraordinary snorkeling experiences to MSC Lirica’s
11-night sailings out of Fort Lauderdale. Departures are
available from January 13 through April 11.
-- Norwegian Coastal Voyage
is introducing a four-night Northern Lights Festival cruise
in January aboard MS Trollfjord from Bergen to
Tromso, Norway, where passengers can join the Northern
Lights Festival to celebrate the sun’s return after the
long polar night. Musical performances will be featured
throughout Tromso.
-- Norwegian Cruise Line’s
Norwegian Jewel will sail in Europe for six months,
featuring seven itineraries, six of which are offered
on a one-time only basis. Sixteen seven-day itineraries
will sail roundtrip from Barcelona to Messina, Sicily;
Naples, Civitavecchia (Rome) and Florence; and Villefranche
(Nice), France.
-- A new 14-day itinerary aboard Oceania
Cruises’ Insignia mixes the best of Norway
and the British Isles, sailing roundtrip from Dover, England.
A highlight of the June cruise is an overnight in Iceland’s
Reykjavik. This sailing is also the second-annual reunion
cruise for Oceania past passengers.
-- When Crown Princess debuts
this summer, the vessel will introduce Princess
Cruises’ first-ever roundtrip Caribbean sailings
from New York. This inaugural season, beginning June 14,
will feature nine-day roundtrip voyages to both the Eastern
and Western Caribbean and will include Princess’ return
to Bermuda.
-- Radisson Seven Seas Cruises
will offer a ten-night itinerary on January 7 aboard Seven
Seas Navigator that visits an interesting mix of lesser-known
Caribbean and Central American ports. Calls will be made
at Key West, a private island in the Bahamas and ports
in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico.
-- A new summer itinerary aboard the
3,100-passenger Voyager of the Seas marks the first
time Royal Caribbean International will
position a ship of this size in European waters. The seven-night
itineraries, roundtrip from Barcelona, will call at ports
in France, Italy, Malta and Spain.
-- The luxurious Yachts of Seabourn
will offer five departures of its Mediterranean Tapestry
itinerary between May and October. The seven-day cruise
aboard Seabourn Legend offers a colorful array
of the region’s varied cultures, calling at ports in Italy,
France and Tunisia.
-- Silversea Cruises’
Silver Shadow will sail on a 14-day across the
Bering Sea luxury cruise from Tokyo for Anchorage on May
29. Guests will have ample opportunities for unique adventures
– from visits to the imperial palaces of Japan to the
remote Russian outpost of Petropavlovsk.
-- Swan Hellenic will
offer a 15-day Myths and Legends cruise in April that
focuses on the mythology, culture and history of the Mediterranean,
including legendary Troy and the Byzantine city of Istanbul.
Minerva II will sail to many lesser-known destinations
in Cyprus, Greece and Turkey.
-- Windstar Cruises’
Wind Surf will sail this winter on new itineraries
that explore the far reaches of the Caribbean. Roundtrip
from Bridgetown, Barbados, the cruises will sail deep
into the heart of the lower Caribbean, including the Grenadines,
St. Barthelemy, Tobago, Bequia, St. Martin and Grenada.
The best way to learn more about these
exciting new itineraries is to seek the professional counsel
of a CLIA travel agent. To locate a CLIA-member travel
agency near you, use the Travel Agent Locator on CLIA’s
website at www.cruising.org.
The Cruise Lines International Association
(CLIA) is the premier nonprofit cruise industry marketing
organization whose 19 member cruise lines represent 97
percent of the cruise capacity marketed in North America.
CLIA member travel agencies – of which there are nearly
17,000 – are the consumer’s very best resource when planning
a cruise vacation. For more information on CLIA, cruise
vacations, its member cruise lines and travel agencies,
visit www.cruising.org.
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